Ice Age Trail Alliance Celebrate the National Parks Centennial
Chippewa Moraine Chapter On the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Ice Age Trail Dispatch
October 2016
Can You Hear The Sound Of The Parade of Colors Coming?
Don’t miss the 2017 edition of our annual Parade of Colors Fall Hike on the Ice Age Trail, coming up THIS Saturday, October 1, at the Obey Interpretive Center at the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Unit, near New Auburn.
Whether you come to help out, or come to enjoy the hike, come and enjoy the trail at its colorful best.
If you wish to help with shuttle driving, greeting, etc, please contact the chapter with your interest.
Otherwise enjoy the finest hiking opportunity anywhere, bring friends and family and plan to arrive between 9 and 11 AM at the Obey Interpretive Center. Chapter volunteers will shuttle you to the starting point of your hike, chosen based on your desired distance (between 1 and 6 miles). Refreshments will greet you upon your return to the Obey Center. Afterwards, enjoy the activities and exhibits at the Obey Center, or enjoy one of the other trails that converge on the Center.
Recent flooding and heavy rain has dampened the trail, but other than a possible wet spot or two, the trail is not seriously impacted; water and mud resistant footwear would be a good choice, however.
There is no charge for the event, though donations are always welcomed.
The Obey Interpretive Center is at 13394 County Highway M, New Auburn Wi 54757.
October Trail Improvement Day Is Saturday, Oct. 15
Our final Trail Improvement Day for the season is Saturday, Oct. 15. We have a variety of cleanup tasks to finish the season’s work on bridges as well as any weather-related work. Fall weather makes perfect trail work weather!
Meet at the Obey Interpretive Center at the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Reserve near New Auburn at 9 AM, and we’ll head out to our work location. Wear long sleeves and pants, sturdy work shoes, be prepared for mosquitos, and bring work gloves, water, lunch, and a snack. Power drills and waterproof boots would also be useful on the boardwalk project.
Please confirm your intent to attend the workday so we can plan for you and make your time worthwhile and productive by emailing Jerry Sazama.
Volunteer Hours Roundup
It is the time of year when we compile our volunteer hours and wrap up the fiscal year. If you’ve worked any volunteer hours doing trail maintenance or inspections, planning, administrative work, etc., that have not been previously reported or captured on a sign-in sheet, then please email them in immediately! The last report will be finalized in the next few days.
Fall Ice Age Trail Member Rally at the Obey Center On Saturday. Nov. 5
The annual rally of northwest Ice Age Trail Alliance members and volunteers is planned for the Obey Interpretive Center on Saturday, Nov. 5. This event brings together active chapter members and volunteers from the northwest chapters to share what their chapters have been doing as well as to participate in informational presentations and demonstrations about important trail activities essential to chapter volunteers.
The Rally runs from 9 AM to 3 PM, and lunch is provided. Registration is encouraged (for lunch planning especially). You can get more information and updated presentation themes at that location.
The close Rally location makes your attendance an easy call, so we hope you are able to take advantage of it.
Join Sierra Club On Annual Late Fall IAT Hike, Saturday. Oct. 29
The Sierra Club has led a hike on the IAT every year at the end of the season for many decades! The latest is planned for Saturday, Oct. 29, and will traverse a 6 mile segment in nearby Taylor County near Perkinstown. It’s part of the next segment of trail east of Chippewa County.
Eric Hansen, Hiking Wisconsin, describes this hike: "Mile after mile of soul-satisfying deep woods ambiance rolls by, while the sight of another hiker is a rarity. Wolves are raising their pups in the area. Bald eagles circle over the rivers. Hemlock groves, birch stands, hardwood forests, verdant wetlands and clear-running streams border the trail. What's to dislike?"
Save gas, reduce pollution by carpooling. In Eau Claire, meet at the Birch St. Gordy's parking lot at 7 A.M. Then we'll drive to Thorp for breakfast, 8 A.M., at the Aroma Cafe, 300 N. Washington St. (HWY 73). For more information and for reservations (necessary for breakfast and carpooling) contact Eleanor Wolf (715-835-4829).
Where to Find IATA and Chapter Event Information
The go-to place to find current information about all our chapter events and IATA events everywhere is the calendar at the IATA website, www.iceagetrail.org. The Calendar link is at the upper right corner of the page, or bookmark www.iceagetrail.org/events/. To find our chapter-specific events, either choose Chippewa Moraine from the dropdown menu under Event Category and click the “Find Events” button, or just bookmark this button ⬇︎
Chippewa Moraine Chapter Events
See you on the trail,
Richard Smith
Chippewa Moraine Chapter Chair
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The Ice Age Trail
A Walk Through Time